Horse-collar machine



(No Modgl.) I I '7 Sheets-Sheet; 1f

' E. CRAWLEY.

' HORSE COLLAR MAGHINE.

No. 889,690. Patented Sept. 18, 1888.

(No Model.) 7 Sheets-'-Sheet 2. f 3.. CRAWLEY.

. HORSE COLLAR. MACHINE. No.- 389,690. Patented Sept. 18, 1888.

o k @D e 1) R 1 v v Y 1E? IR E6 E 8 T3? +1 r E r Z I l {I I .6 k O o k I N. Ptfzns. Pnbwmm her. Wuhlnginn, 04 Q (No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 3.

E. GRAWLEY. HORSE COLLAR MACHINE. No. 389,690. PatentedSept. 18, 1888.

1 7915.. I f y (No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 4.

E. ORAWLEY.

HORSE COLLAR MACHINE.

No. 389,690. Patented Sept. 18, 1888.

Qjpfeniar:

N. PETERS, Phukmuihcgmpher, Washinglun. u c.

(No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 5.

E. ORAWLEY.

HORSE COLLAR MAGHINE.

No. 389.690. 'Patented'Sept. 18, 1888-.

n. PEIERS. PfMwLitho mphar. Wuhhgion. nljp.

(No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 6.

' B. GRAWLEY.

HORSE COLLAR MACHINE. No. 389,690. Patented Sept. 18, 1888 [1772.27 far I N. Pmns. Pmmwdwlm Wuhiwm. 0.6.

(No Model.) 7 ShBets-Sheet 7.

E. GRAWLEY.

HORSE GOLLAR MACHINE.

Patented Sept. 18, 1888 L e/e n 102 N, PETERS. PhMv-Lflhognpwr, Washingion. D. O

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. 1

EDWIN ORAVLEY, OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY.

HORSE-COLLAR MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 389.690, dated September l8 1888.

Application filed June 20, 1882. Serial No. 64,705. No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWIN GRAWLEY, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of the city of Newport, in the county of Campbell and State of Kentucky, have invented a new and useful Machine for Stuffing Horse-Collars, of which the following is a specification.

My invention, in general, enables the horsecollar to be evenly and symmetrically stuffed in an easy and expeditious manner and with economy.

The various features of my invention and their particular advantages will be obvious from the following specification.

In the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a machine embodying my inven; tion. Fig. 2, Sheet 2, is an end elevation of the front end-that is to say,'of that end of the machine which is at the left hand in Fig. 1', and all that portion of the machine which in Fig. 1 is at the right side'of the vertical dotted line as x is omitted. The collar-holder is shown herein by'dotted lines on1y,in order to exhibit the mechanism which lies to the rear of said holder; Fig. 3, Sheet 3, is an end elevation of the rear end of the machine, all those portions of the latter which are below the table and also'which are at the left of the dotted line 3 y in Fig. 1 being omitted, the driving-clutch and loose pulley being shown in section. Fig. 4, Sheet 4, is a side elevation of the boxfor holding the straw or other material with which the collar is to be stuffed and the adjacent mechanism for taking the stuffing material from the box and feeding it into the tube, the latter being shown at its central vertical section and the feed-separator and the side of the box both being partly broken away to show the preferred device for lar-holder, said section being taken at the dotted line 2 z in Fig. 5, and showing a portion of the end of the collar in position between the opposing lips of said holder. Fig. 8, Sheet 4, represents a top view of the disk or wheel which carries the clamps or clutches by which the collar is held, the clamppiece E being omitted and the clamping -screw E and its nut E having been swung around to one side. Fig. .9, Sheet 4, represents a topview, and also a front section, of the feedseparator. Fig. 10, Sheet 3, represents'the main lever for operating the feeding-rod, and also showing the slide. for guiding the rear end of the said rod and the connection between said slide and the main lever. Fig. 11, Sheet 3, represents a side and also a top view of the stuffing-rod. Fig. 12, Sheet 2, is a side elevation of the front portion of the rod whereby the operator starts or steps the feeding of the stuffingmaterial; and Fig. 13, Sheet 2, represents a view of the same,taken at the rear of the supporting-post,

the rod being broken off at the dotted line 2 2 of Fig. 12. Fig. 14 represents a side elevation-of the rear end of said rod and its rear connections and support. Fig. 15, Sheet 3, shows a top and also aside view of the adjustable block B, which may be used for supporting the collar during certain of the portions of the process of stuffing the collar. Fig. 16 represents a horse-collar before the ends are sewed or closed together. Fig. 17, Sheet 6, repre sents a central transverse section of the clamping devices shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 8, the sec tion beingtaken throughaline passing through the center of Fig. 5. Fig. 18, Sheet 6, represents an elevation of that edge of the clamping devices shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 8, and which is on the left hand in Fig. 5. Fig. 19 is a plan showing the relation of the block B to its support. Fig. 20 is a plan of the front edge of the machine that is, the end toward the operatorparts of the machine being broken away.

Aindicates the frame of the machine, formed in any suitable manner.

B indicates the block which supports the horse-collar, and also the support for the collar-holder O, the latter being secured by bolts or other means to said block. This block B is arranged to slide longitudinally upon the platform A in an suitable manner and in the present instance the edges of the sides of said block rest (see Fig. 2) upon the frame and pro ject under the flanges a of guides a, secured to said frame.

As an additional means of more readily shifting the horse-collar, I preferably provide a block, B, (shown in Fig. 15,) and pivoted to the block B at the point B, the pivot B vertically entering and turning in asuitable opening in the block B. The block B always rests at its pivoted end or portion upon the block B. The horse-collar to be stuffed is laid upon block B, and the latter is turned to the right or left and supports the collar when the collar is altogether off from over the block B or is only partially over said block B. This block B allows the horse-collar while being stuffed to be shifted to a point where, if the block B were not present, a portion of the collar would be unsupported and would hang over the side of the frame. The advance movementthat is, a movement toward the rightin Fig. 1of the slide-block B is stopped, when desired, by suitable meansas, for instance, by the hand-pawl G, secured to the sliding block B, and the ratchet G, fixed to the frame, the pawl engaging the ratchet G except when actually held in disengagement therefrom by the operator.

Suitable means are employed to bring the sliding block B (when the pawl G is lifted) toward the feeding-box F to a position which said block will occupy when the operation of stufling the collar is about to begin. The means here shown consist of a weight, D, whose eye engages hook D on the pulley D in turn supported on the cord D one end'of which cord is connected to the frame at D, and the part of the cord on the front side of the pulley, after passing over the fixed pulley D is connected to the sliding block B at D".

The collar to be stuffed is held to the sliding block B and prevented from slipping away from the stuffing-rod as the latter is advanced toward said collar by means of a suitable clamp. In the present instance I employ the collar-holder C, constructed as follows, to engage open ends of the collar:

To a suitable frame, as 0, having opening C, is connected a lug, G", carrying at either end a pivot, G, and on the lower pivot is pivoted the swing or clutch-piece 0*, and on the upper end is pivoted the swing or clutchpiece 0 The under edge of the clutch-piece (J is provided with groove C, (see Fig. 7,) and the upper edge of the clutch-piece O is likewise grooved. There extends from the frame 0 at each side of the opening through said frame a flange, C Each flange 0 carries avertical lip, C The lip C of that flange O which is located at the upper side of the opening through the frame projects upward, and the lip O of that flange O which is located at the lower side of the said opening through the frame projects downward.

In practice the leather or other flexible material of which the collar is composed is brought through the opening C and bent over the flanges G and the lips O, and the lower clutch-piece, O, is then brought upon the lower flange C and the upper clutch-piece 0, brought down against the upper flange, O, and the two clutch-pieces are then tightly pressed or drawn together by any suitable tightening device, and when so drawn or pressed together the lips C will press the ma.- terial of the collar into their respective grooves, and thus firmly clamp the collar in the holder.

A convenient device for tightening or closing the clutches G and 0 against their respective flange 0 and lip Ciand thereby pinching the leather between the clutch audits said flange and lip, as shown in the drawings,Figs. 5 and 18, is as follows: The forward end of the clutch-piece C is provided with the vertical extension 0. To the upper end of this extension 0 is pivoted a rotary thumb-cam, O. This cam, when turned, operates on the upper edge of the upper clutch-piecefi, and moves the latter piece and the lower clutchpiece, 0*, toward each other.

The nuts 0 and G operate to hold their respective clutch-pieces C and C to the lug C and to accommodate the varying thickness of the ends of the material of which the collarshell is composed. \Vhen the collar is to be released from the holder, the cam is turned, the clutch-pieces released and moved around on their respective pivots and away from the flanges 0 when the ends of the collar can be withdrawn from the holder. The position of the clutch-pieces O and 0 when turned or moved away from the flanges C also affords a convenient opportunity for introducing through the openings C" the collar to be stuffed and for laying these said ends of the collar upon the flanges G and the lips C thereof. IVhere the material of which the collar-shell or outside surface is composed has not suiiicient strength at the point where it is clamped to the holder by the clutch-pieces C and C to withstand the thrusts of the stuffingrod while the latter is stuffing the collar, I employ in connection with the aforesaid clamp a supplemental elamp,which I locate at the rear side of the frame 0, and I preferably construet the latter clamp as follows: In the clamp E the elamppiece E is pivoted at E to the side of the frame 0 and has an extension or pivot, E, projecting toward and adapted to meet an opposing extension or point, B, connected to the frame 0'. When the end of the collar is placed through the opening 0 and clamped by the clutch-pieces G and C the clamp-piece E is moved so that the point E enters on one side of the collar between the two enlarged parts E of the collar and the other point on the other side of the collar between the two enlarged parts, there being at this narrow part E of the collar four laps or layers of material, and the clamp-piece is moved so that the points E F? grasp the narrow part between them and hold at a point where the material of the shell of the collar IIO is strong, and thus supplement the clamp G and prevent the shell of the collar from being torn at or in the proximity of the clamp 0 through the thrust of the stuffing-rod.

The preferred means for enabling the clamp E to pinch the collar and retainits hold upon the latter consists of the clamping-screw E attached to the frame 0 and the nut E screwed onto said screw E, the free end of the lever of clamp E being preferably, as shown, (see Fig. 6,) between the nut E and the point of the attachment of the screw E to the frame.

In practice, the collar being clamped by clamp G, the thin part E of the collar resting on the point E the clamp-piece E is brought down so that its point E presses the part E of the collar against said point E the screw E? passing up through and beyond the top of clamp-piecc E and the thumb-nut E being screwed on screw E and down upon clamppiece E, thus causing the points E E to pinch between them the part E of the collar.

It is very desirable that during the operation of stuffing the collar the latter should be turned, so as to enable the operator to ascertain how each portion of the collar is being stuffed and to facilitate the placing of the wad of stuffing material introduced into the collar by the stuffing-rod at the desired place within the collar. To enable the collar to be thus turned, I construct the frame 0 so that it can be turned. The preferred mode of construction consists in providing said frame with an annular border, C, having a peripheral groove, 0, and this annular border rests upon and turns within a concave frame, 0 whose inner edge is provided with tongues G",which fit within the groove 0' 2. This tongue and groove and the action of the frame 0 combine to prevent vertical displacement of the frame G,and at the same time allowsthe frame to be turned in the direction of the length of its periphery.

The feed-box F is suitably upheld, as by supports F, attached to the platform A. The lower portion of the box is narrowed,as shown, the two pieces F" forming the sides being inclined toward each other as they descend and leaving between them an opening,F ,in length a little greater than the desired length of the straws, grasses, or other fibers to be used in stuffing the collar. The length of the opening 'F is preferably, as shown, at right angles to the length of the machine.

In order to evenly feed the straw ordinarily used in stuffing collars down through the feedbox, a. feeding device is required, and a preferred construction of such device is shown in Figs. 1 and 4, where the reciprocating vertical piece F, located at or near the center of the fecd-box, is provided with one or more pairs of fingers,F pivoted at F and pointing outwardly and downwardly in oppositedirections and prevented from turning back too far by means of a shoulder, F formed upon each and impinging against the stop F, fixed to the said reciprocating piece F These fingers F operate to close toward each other as piece F rises, and thus allow the straw to slip by them,and then operate to open as the piece F descends and force the straw before them down toward and through the opening F The straw is prevented from falling through the opening F by means of gages F extended across the lower opening, F", of the feed-box in a direction transverse to the length of the straw, one gage near each end and extending across the open bottom of the feed-box. These gages consist, preferably, of two beams or hands, and are adjustable in such a manner that the amount of straw to be fed to the stuff ing-rod can be regulated at pleasure.

The preferred construction for rendering these gages adjustable is as follows: The gages are pivoted at one end to the box at F, and their free ends are pivoted at F to the sliding gage-rod F which has a slot, F (see Fig. 2,) through which passes a thumb-screw, F, engaging a female screw, F, in the side of the box F. By loosening and tightening this thumb-screw F the sliding gage-rod F can be elevated or depressed,and thus the gages F be likewise elevated or depressed at one end,while turning on their pivots at the other.

The forward end of the box F is preferably provided with the guides P, which latter operate to guide the straw which has been just caught bythe stuffingrod, and also to bend it (this straw) back, so as to throw it into a compact position along the stuffing-rod in proper condition to be carried into thetube R by the said stuftingrod.

The device for positively separating the amount of straw which it is desired that the stuffing-rod shall take at each strokeand shall carry into the collar consists, primarily, of the feed-separator H. (See Figs. 1 and 4.) This separator H has a back, H, and from the edges of this back the flanges H project down, these flanges being placed sufficiently far apart to allow the head of the stuffing-rod to pass (as it does) between them.

The separator consists of a rocker-shaped piece, H, suspended from the bars H by braces H which are bolted or screwed to downwardlyprojecting flanges H from the sides of the rocker H. The curve of the upper surface of H is such that the swinging of the bars H on theirpivots will carry the rocker closely under the lower edges of the sides F of the hopper. The lower edge of the flanges H is curved on a shorter radius. The separator is thus in effect a curved shuttle, which is swung under the hopper, its forward end entering the straw and separating all that is below the curve of the upper surface of the part H. The space between the flanges H permits the passage of the stuffing-rod K.

The separator is suit-ably supported and is preferably upheld, as shown, by the braces H, which extend laterally one from one side and the other from the other side of the separator beyond the sides of the box F, and are then ITO connected to the swinging rods H, which latter are pivoted at H to said box (see Figs. 1 and 2) and are each provided at its upper extremity with an arm, I to whose free end is attached a spring, H strained between said end and a point, as H of the box, at which point 11 1116 lowerend of thespring is attached. This spring is the preferred form of mechanism for retracting the separator H after it has been forced into the straw. The forward movement of the separator, whereby it is caused to enter the straw, is effected through any desirable agency. A preferred means is the rod I, forked at 1, one branch of which fork is connected to that swinging rod H which is 011 one side of the feed-box and the other branch is is connected to that swinging rod H which is on the other side of the feed-box. \Vhen the separator-is moved forward, itenters the straw, and by reason of its wedge shape it forces down all that portion of the straw which comes below its point. Obviously this amount of straw will be much or little, according as the gages F are lowered or elevated.

The stuffing-rod K consists ofa rod, K and a head, K. (See Figs. dandll.) This head islaterally flattened, as shown in Fig. 11,and is concave at the forward end to enable the straw to be more securely retained by said end while the latter is carrying the straw into the col lar.

The stulling'rod is suit-ably supported and preferred means for supporting it are- First. The bearing L, by which the forward portion of the rod is supported and through which the rod slides.

Second. The slide-rods M M. (See Figs. 1 and 3.) These sliderods M support the slide K fixed by set screw K to the rear portion of the stuffing-rod K, the rods M passing through. the slide K and the latter sliding on said slide-rods. The rods are supported, preferably, by standards L and M.

Below the feed-boxF and under the stuffingrod K when thelatteris moved forward to stuff the collar is the table or platform P, which helps to prevent thestra w from crowding down ward and away from the stuffing-rod as the head of the latter is taking straw from the feedbox, and also catches any loose straws falling from the head of the stuffing-rod and from the bottom of the feed-box and holds them up, so that the head of the stuffing-rod at its next forward movement can take them up and carry them into the collar.

The tube R is located at the forward portion of the machine and is supported at its rear end only by the standard R. (See Figs. 1 and 4.) The rear end of this tube is preferably provided with a flared extremity, It, the better to admit the head of the stuffing-rod and its accompanying charge of straw to the tube, and while thus compressing this straw around the rod does not break the same, as would be the case were the rear entrance of the tube angnlarinstead of flared. The functions of this tube R will be apparent hereinafter when the mode in which the stuffing-rod and its accessories operate is described.

A desirable means for imparting motion to the slide K, and hence to the stuffing rod,consists (see Figs. 1 and 10) of the lever S,whose upper end is swung on a pivot, S, supported by the upright A of the frame A, and whose free end is bifurcated, and each branch of said fork is respectively connected to its respective side of the slide K by a connecting-rod, S, these connecting-rods S being fastened to the slide and lever S by pivoted connections.

A connecting-rod, S, is at one end pivoted to the lever S and at its other end is pivoted to the geanwheel S at or near the perimeter of the latter. This wheel S" is fixed on a shaft, S, (see Figs. 1 and 3,)journaled on the upright A, and its teeth engage a pinion, S, fixed on a shaft, S, which latter also carries the gear S the pinions S and gear S being preferably made of one and the same piece of metal.

A preferable means of imparting motion to the rod I, which moves forward the swinging rods H and the feed-separator, is as follows:

The rod I is provided with a triangular driving lug, T, which preferably slides upon the rod and is capable of being fixed to the latter at any desired point thereon by means of the set-screw T.

A pin, T is fixed in the lever S, (see Figs. 1 and 10,) and as this lever moves backward it passes under and raises said driving-lug T, and thus gets to the rear of the latter. As the lever S moves forward, the pin T impinges against the rear end of the driving-lug T and moves the latter and rod I and the feed-separator H forward.

In order to regulate the length and position of the throw imparted to the feed-s parator, I employ two devices, as follows: To attain a desired point in the are described by the pin T where the latter in its forward movement shall first impinge against the back edge of the driving-lug T, I move the latter along the rod I and set it by means of the set-screw T. To attain a desired point in the are described by the pin T where the latter in its forward movement shall stop pressing the lug T forward and leave the same, I employ a device, as standard T, provided with a slot, T, and adjustable slide T (See Figs. 1 and 3.) The end of rod I passes through this slot T and rests upon the adjustable slide T".

\Vhen it is desired that the pin T shall leave the driving-lug T quite quickly-that is, at the lower portion of the are described by said pin--the adjustable slide T, which supports the red at or near its rear end, (see Figs. 1 and 3,) is set high, and the rod I and driving-lug T are thus elevated, and when a contrary effect is desired the rod I and driving-lug T are set low by setting the slide T low on its standard T Thus the length of the stroke of the driving-lug T for the rear half of the are described by pin T is regulated by the adjustment of the lug T upon the rod I, and the length of the stroke of the lug T for the forward half of the are described by the pin T is regulated by the adjustment of the slide T Thus the length of the stroke of the feed-separator H and the position of its stroke in relation to the feed-opening F is easily and perfectly adjusted and regulated.

The object in regulating the position of the stroke or movement of the feedseparator is to regulate the time when in relation to the stroke of the stuffing-rod the feed-separator shall begin its work of separating the straw and feeding the latter to the said stuffing-rod. This capacity for regulating the position and length of the stroke enables the operator to improve the feeding action of the machine and adapt such action to the sizeof the charge of the feeding material required, and also to the kind of feeding material used. The rod I is so bent at T as to allow the pin. T to pass above and below the rod I.

A preferred form of device for stopping or starting the action of the feedseparator consists (see Figs. 1 and 3) of the rod U, whose rear end is pivoted to and supported by a rightangled lever consisting of the arm U pivoted to the standard U, and the arm U, extending under the rod I and at right angles to the latter. The forward free end of this rod U 13 supported by and slides in the slotted support U, attached to the upright F. (See Figs. 1 and 12.) This rod has at its forward end a notch, U and a pin, U To stop the action of the feed-separator, the rod U is pushed back until the notch U engages the bottom of the slotted support U", whenthe arm U of the right-angled lever will lift the rod I so high that the pin T can no longer engage the driving-1ug T.

To start the action of the feed-separator, the

rod U is lifted out of the notch U and dis-' engaged from the slotted supportU and then the weight of the rod U will cause the rightangled lever to descend and allow the rod Ito drop into position, where the driving-lug T will engage with the pin T the rod U being ing a reciprocating motion to the piece F of the feed-box F consists (see Figs. 1 and 2) of rod V, pivoted at V to lever S, and slidingin the slot V of the lever V fixed to shaft Vflwhich latter is rigidly connected to the levers V One of the levers V is at one side of the feedbox and the otherlever V is at the other side of the feed-box. Connected to the upper or free ends of the levers V and extending between them is the .rod V", which latter is piv oted to piece F at V The lever V is provided at its lower end with the lug V which latter, as the rod V is moved'from the rear toward the front of the machine, engages astoppin, V", and thus prevents the piece F* from being raised too high.

Between a nut, V, on the front end, V, of

the rod V and a sliding thimble, V, sliding on said rod. is a spiral spring,V,0n the rod V.

A stud, V, on the top of the rod prevents the thimble V from sliding too far rearward. By screwing the nut V forward or backward the spring can be more or less compressed, as desired.

In operation as the lever S moves rearward the thimble V impinges against the lever V, and, drawing it rearward, depresses the free ends of levers Vithereby depressing the piece Ffland, forcing down the fingers Fflfeeds down the stuffing material. As the fingers continue to descend, the resistance of this material finally stops the descent of the fingers and the forward movement ofthe lever Vflwhen, as the rod V continues to move rearward, the spring V will yield and the thimble V and nut V be brought toward each other, the spring being compressed between them.

One great advantage of the spring V is as follows: When the feed-separator has been adjusted to feed but a little of the stuffing material at each stroke, the fingers will often feed the stuffing material down faster than the feedseparator takes it away, and in such event the fingers in their downward stroke will at each successive stroke be stopped at a higher point above the bottom. The spring allows the lever V to give way at any point as soon as the fingers have firmly pressed down the stuffing Inateriai, and thus prevents the latter from being too much compressed, and also prevents any part from being broken. The pressure of the fingers upon the stuffing material can also be increased or diminished by screwing the nut V forward or backward.

In order to render the operation of the piece F and its accompanying parts more easy and regular,it becomes desirableto counterbalance theweight of thepieceFfifingersF ,andleverV Any suitable device which will cause the levers V V in their movement toward the front of the machine to rise may be employed. A preferred form of device consists of the weight V suspended from arm V keyed or otherwise fixed to the shaft.

The gear S is turned by any suitable mechanism. In the present instance the gear S (see Figs. 1 and 3) engages the pinion W, fixed to one end of the shaft W, which latter is journaled on the upright A, and at its other end supports the friction-clutch W, arranged to slide upon the shaft and connect d thereto by a feather, so that the rotation of the clutch will rotate the shaft. The driving-pulley W rotates loosely upon the shaft W, and when the friction-clutch is pressed against said pulley the latter causes the clutch to rotate, and thereby communicates motion to the machine. When the clutch is no longer pressed against the pulley by the spring W the spring compressed between the clutch and the pulley throws the clutch away from the pulley and the latter ceases to drive the machinery. The rod X (see Fig. 1) is a mere brace connecting I go the upright A and the lower portion of the frame and stiffening the same. The clutch \V" is moved against the pulley \V by any desired mechanism.

A preferred form of device for this purpose consists as follows, viz: The bent lever Y (see Fig. 3) is pivoted at Y to the arm Y of the upright A". The free end of the upper arm of said lever Y is bifurcated at Y, and the forks enter, respectively, the "slots Y in the collar Y, fixed loosely on the shaft V, behind the clutch. A rear elevation of this collar detached is shown in Fig. 3. The free end of the lower arm of the lever Y is connected to the upper end of a rod, Y", (see Figs. 3 and 1,) whose lower end is connected to the free end ofalever, Y The other end of this lever is fixed to the shaft Y and this shaft carries a lever, Y", from whose free end hangs the weight Y and also carries the lever Y, to whose free end is connected one end of the rod Y, the other end of said last named rod being connected to the free end of lever Y, the other end of the latter being fixed to shaft Y. (See Figs. 1 and 2.) This shaft Y carries lever Y, to whose free end is connected the upper end of the treadle-rod Y", thelower end of this treadle-rod being connected to the treadle Y, the latter at its rear end being pivoted to the hangers Y.

The platform Y supports the operator whilestuffing the collar, and the end Y of the treadle is so raised that when at rest this end Y'-' shall be somewhat higher than is the upper surface of the platform Y.

In practice the operator stands with his right foot at Y, his left foot being at Y, and his heel resting on the end Y of the treadle. To depress the treadle, the operator bears down on his left heel, his left foot being at the same time supported by the platform. Thus, while operating the treadle, his equilibrium is in no wise disturbed, as would be the case were his whole foot to rest upon and descend with the treadle. The depression of the treadle operates through the system of levers and rods de scribed to draw down the free end of the lower arm of the lever Y (see Fig. 3,) and cause the free end of the upper arm of said icver to press the clutch W against the pulley W, and thus start the machine into action. Then the operator releases his pressure on the treadle, the spring YV throws the clutch Vt away from the pulley W" and stops the machine, and at the same time the weight Y operates to retract the rod Y and raise the end of the treadle again above the surface of the platform.

The individual operation of the several portions of my machine has been already described in connection with descriptions of the construction of said portions.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The feed-box is filled with stuffing material. Suppose the rim E (see Fig. 6) ofthe collar is first to be stuffed. The end of the collar is properly fastened in the clamps or clutches and the block Bis moved forward, and the end of the tube enters the open end of the collar. The operator now starts the machine in action by depressing the treadle Y. The main part of the collar is upheld by the operator. The feed-separator H draws down the straw,and the head of the stufiingrod K takes the straw drawn down by the feed-separator and carries it through and beyond the tube, and deposits it within the collar at or near the center of the rim. The succeeding strokes of the stuffing-rod K gradually fill the collar. As the collar is gradually filled with straw, the head of the stuffing rod will pack the straw within the collar, exerting a force in packing equivalent to the resistance offered by the weight D, and when the straw in the collar has become packed sutficiently to make a resistance to the head of the stuffing-rod equal to the resistance offered by the weight the stufling-rod will move the collar and block B away from the feed-box. This operation of stuffing and packing is continued until the rim is filled to the end, at which time one-half of the rim has been stuffed. For some time before the said one-half of the rim has been stuffed the clamped end of the collar has left the free end of the tube and there is quite a space between said ends. The tube still remains useful, as the straw around the head of the stuffing-rod would fall off before the said head reached the collar were it not for the tube. The clamped end of the collar is then released from the clamp and the other end of the rim is clamped and stuffed in the same manner asthe first half of the rim was clamped and stuffed. The bulges E (see Fig. 6) of the collar are next to be filled. Before being placed on the machine they are preferably loosely filled with cut or fine straw. Then the free end of one of the bulges is clamped to the clamp O. The block 13 is then moved toward the feed-box, the tube entering the bulge and passing through the loose fine straw to or near that end of this bulge which is at the centerof the collar.

The operation of stufiing the bulge is similar to the aforedescribed operation of stuffing the rim. During the process of stuffing the bulge when it is found necessary to the collar, either for the purpose of symmetrically shaping it or for any other reason, the block B is placed on block 13 and under the collar, the pivot B of the block 13 beinginserted at B in block B and the collar allowed to rest thereon. The other bulge of the collar is stuffed in a manner similar to that in which the firstnamed bulge was stuffed. \Vhen it is desired to pack the incoming charge of straw with more force than the resistance of the weight will impart, the operator presses the collar toward the stuffing-rod as the latter advances, and when he desires the 'stuffing-rod to pack with less force than the resistance of the weight D imparts he pulls on the collar in a direction which is away from the stuffing-rod.

During the operation of stuffing the collar it is sometimes found necessary after several IXO wads or charges of straw have been placed in the collar to pack these charges more closely before feeding any more stuffing material into the collar. To accomplish this result, the operator shifts the rod U toward the rear end of the machine until the notch U engages with the bottom of the slotted support U when, as aforedescribed, straw will no longer be fed to the stuffing-rod and the latter will enter the collar without any charge of straw, and will, as aforementioned, pack more closely the straw already within the collar.

In stuffing it is very desirable to turn the collar while clamped so as to bring uppermost these parts of the collar which are underneath, in order to enable the operator to more clearly see how perfectly all parts of the collar are being stuffed, and to better enable him to place the charges of straw where necessary and to pack or pound the collar at the point where such packing or pounding is necessary.

The formation of the circular clamp-frame and bed enables the collar to be turned at will with facility.

Another advantage of the tube is that in stuffing the bulge it (the tube) passes through the loose fine straw which has been previously inserted into the collar by hand, and the free end of said tube is near that end of the bulge which is at the center of the collar, the loose straw being on all sides of said tubes. As the operation of stuffing goes on, the loose straw is everywhere mixed with the straw introduccd by the rod.

If the tube were not present, the incoming stuffing-rod would crowd all the loose straw into one end ofthe bulge,leaving the other end to be filled with thelong straw alone.

One or more of the various features of my invention may be used together or in connection with devices for stuffing other than those show-n herein. All such applications and uses will fall within the scope of my invention.

WhatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a collar-stuffing machine, the sliding block B, the collar-holding clamp adapted to rotate thereon, pawl G and ratchet G, and means,substantially as described,for drawing the block B toward the feed-box and resisting the advance of the stuffing-rod, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. In a collar-stuffing machine, the sliding block 13, pawl Gand ratchet G,and weight D, pulleys D D, and cord D in combination with the reciprocating stuffing-rod, substantially as andfor the purposes specified.

3. In a collar-stuffing machine, a rotating frame mounted on the platform ofthe machine internally provided with a suitable clamp or clamps, substantially as and for the purposes 5. In a collar-stuffing machine, the concave frame 0 and circular frame 0', adapted to rotate thereon' and provided with the tongue and groove for retaining the circular frame on the concave frame, all in combination with a clamp or clamps for clamping the end of the collar, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

6. The clamp E, consisting of the flanges O and the arms 0 and O secured to a support by pivots, (an orifice being present between said flanges,) and suitable means for causing the free ends of the clamps to pinch between them the end of the collar, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

7. The clamp 0, consisting of the flanges C, each provided with a lip, (Rand separated by the orifice C ,and the arms 0* (3 secured to a support by pivots, and the thumb-cam G,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

8. The clamp E, consisting of the movable arm E, provided with jaw E and opposing stationaryjaw E, the latter being located at or near the middle of orifice C, and means for causing'thejaws to pinch that part of the collar which is between the rim E and the bulge, substantially as'and for the purposes specified.

9. The clamp E, consisting of the movable arm E, pivoted at E and provided with jaw E and opposing stationary jaw E located at or near the middle of the orifice G and the screw E and thumb'nut E substantially as and for the purposes specified.

10. In a collar stuffing machine, a feedbox provided with a feed-opening, F in combination with the adjustable gages F", extending across said opening, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

11. In a collar'stuffing machine, the combination of a feed-box provided with feed-opening F and the gages F", pivoted at F and crossing said opening, and arranged to allow the feedseparator and stuffing-rod to pass between them, and the sliding gage-rod F and nut F, substantially as and for the purposes specified. I

12. In a collar-stuffing-machine, the combination of a feed-box and the reciprocating piece F, and the fingers F, so adapted that their free ends shall approach each other as the piece F rises and separate as the said piece F descends through the straw, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

13. In a collar-stuffing machine, the combination of the feed-box F and reciprocating piece F, and the fingers F pivoted at F and provided with shoulders F and the stop F on piece F, substantially as and for the purposes specified. v

14. In a collar stuffing machine, the combination of reciprocating piece F* and the recip rocating rod V, and the lever V and levers V rigidly fixed to shaftV, springV, nipple V,

15. In a collar stuiling machine, the combination of reciprocating piece I and the reciprocating rod V, and the lever V and leversV", rigidly fixed to shaft Y, spring V, nipple V, stud V, and nutV,leverV rigidly attached to shaft V, and weight V, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

16. In a collarstuifing machine. the combination of the reciprocating stuifing rod and the reciprocating feed-separator, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

17. In a collar stuffing machine, the combination of the reciprocating stufiing-rod and the feed separator, consisting of the pendent levers and the supported piece H and side pieces, H and adapted to allow the stuffingrod to reciprocate between said side pieces, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

18. In a collar-stul'fing machine, the feedseparator consisting of the curved back or main piece, H, and pointed side pieces, H, curved ontheir lower edges, said piece hung on pendent levers attached to the hopper, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

19. In combination with the feedseparator H, the arms H pivoted to the hopper at or near their upper ends, and means, substantially as described, for imparting a reciprocating motion to the same, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

20. The combination of the feed-separator II, the swinging arms II, lever H, respectively fixed to said arms, spring H and rod I, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

21. The combination of the feed separator H, the swinging arms H levers H, respectively fixed to said arms, spring H and rod I, connected, substantially as described, to said levers H and provided with driving-lug T on said rod, and the reciprocating pin T", adjustable substantially as and for the purposes specified.

22. In a collar-stuffing machine, the combination of the reciprocating feed separator and rod I, provided with driving-lug T, pin T and rod U, having at one end a notch, U, and pin U with the slotted support U and the rightangled lever U, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

23. In a collar-stuffing machine, the combination of the reciprocating feed-separator and rod I, provided with driving-lug '1, pin T, and rod U, having at one end a notch, U", and pin U slotted support U, and the right-angled lever U, and adjustable support T", substantially as and for the purposes specified.

24.. In a collar-stuffing machine, the combi nation of the stuffing-rod, slide K, slide-rods M, connecting-rod S, and lover S, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

25. In a collar-stutiing machine, the combination of the stuffing-rod K and lever S, and connecting mechanism for enabling said lever to operate said rod, and feed-separator II, and rod I, and driving-lug T, and pin T located on said lever S, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

26. In a collar stul'fing machine, the combination of the collar-supporting mechanism, lever S, rod V, pitman S", and mechanism for imparting a reciprocating movement to the latter, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

27. In a collar stuffing machine, the combination of the collar-supporting mechanism, the swinging lever S, rod V, and stuffing-rod K, and connecting mechanism for enabling the lever S to operate the stuffing-rod, and rod I, and mechanism for enabling the levers to operate said rod I, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

EDWIN GRA\VLEY.

Attest:

EDWARDS 11117011111, E. R. HILL. 

